When good loses out to evil

The choking sobs of a once-respected lawyer and substitute teacher evoked varied emotions among those seated in federal court yesterday.

"No worthy son, no decent brother should ever put a family in such a position or ask them to endure such things," said defendant Andrew J. Myers, who later added, "The shame I feel is one I would wish on no man."

Myers' parents sat in the second row of Room 5 of U.S. District Court, brushing back anguished tears for their oldest child, a man they knew until recently only as a loving son, devoted community volunteer and supportive sibling in a close-knit family.

"I am asking you to look at Andrew as a person who is remorseful and can change," his father, Tom Myers, wrote in an impact statement to Judge Timothy S. Hillman. "I love my son and will be there to help him in whatever way I can."

The seat in front of them was occupied by a mother who also loves her son. He was just 11 when he was victimized online by Myers, the former teacher who also happens to prey on young boys.

"You were supposed to be protecting my son when he was at school," said the mother, reading angrily from a victim impact statement. "I will never forgive you for what you've taken away from my son."

At an emotional sentencing hearing yesterday, the 34-year-old Northbridge man was sentenced to 220 months in federal prison for enticing and attempting to entice minors for sex, and possession of child pornography. While he wasn't accused of physical assault, prosecutors said he offered to perform sex acts with minors, tried to entice a victim to display sex acts, tried to arrange a meeting with a 14-year-old boy, and essentially exchanged online tips with sex offenders on how to approach boys. Some of the lewd messages were sent to students he knew from substitute teaching in Northbridge and Millbury.

And while Myers' family outlined his many accomplishments to the judge — Boy Scout leader, mentor, former Northbridge School Committee member — Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady offered a different motive for Myers' altruism.

"He chose a profession and activities that maximized his exposure to children," Grady told Judge Hillman, noting, "He's not here because of anything good he did."

The thing is, Myers did do some good. By almost all accounts he was a likable and respected guy, someone who volunteered at Rosie's Place while attending law school and who later charged clients what they could afford. In another impact statement to the judge, former neighbor Margaret F. Chinappi, a nurse, wrote that Myers "is so much more" than his crimes.

"I believe that as a young man who has worked so much to help others and to promote good in the community and in the world, Andrew has the inner integrity and the ability to redeem himself completely for whatever wrongdoing he is guilty of. He has many friends and neighbors who recognize his inner core of goodness and decency."

The tragedy here is that none of it matters. None of his past good deeds, none of his love for his family, and none of his eloquent remorse will ever erase the fatal flaw that will forever define him — Myers gave in to his dark impulses. He betrayed the trust of children, destroyed his life and devastated his family.

"While I know I can't change the past, not a day goes by that I don't wish I could change what I have done," Myers said.

One thing is clear. Myers isn't the first predator whose unveiling elicits shock and confusion, nor will he be the last. And therein lies the danger, when otherwise decent men are so adept at hiding their monstrous inner urge.